Combined table and tray-stand.



A. w. WHITNEY.

COMBINED TABLE AND TRAY STAND.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG-14, 1909.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

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e a 5W y B ALBERT W. WHITNEY, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINED TABLE AND TRAY-STA1\TD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

Application filed Decemberll, 1909. Serial No. 532,993.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT W. WHITNEY, citizen of the United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combined Tables and Tray-Stands, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tables and stands, and pertains especially to a tea table or a tea stand wherein there are combined the qualifications and capacities of a tray, table and foldable stand.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a simple, cheap, handy and practical table and stand for use at various social affairs, and in which the table top will also be a tray, or which top if not needed as a tray can be reversed and used as a card table, the whole device being capable of folding so as to occupy a very small space when not in use. it t The invention consistsof the parts and the construction and combinations of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the stand in the folded position. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the latch. Fig. 4 is a detail of the tray. Fig. 5 is a detail of the tray as inverted for a table top.

In the embodiment of the invention as actually practiced, I employ a foldable stand made in any appropriate manner and of any suitable material. In keeping with the top and tray portions of the device, hereinafter to be described, preferably the whole device is given as much of a Japanese or Oriental appearance as possible.

The stand comprises a main rectangular frame or panel A arranged vertically; the cross bar of this panel A being horizontal with upturned ends forming flanges 2, the

purpose of which will be apparent hereinafter. Suitably hinged to the top and bottom bars of this main frame or panel A are two side panel members 3 adapted to be' folded into a plane parallel with the frame or panel A when not in use, or to be moved out in a line with one another, and to stand approximately at right angles to the plane of the frame A. The top bar of each of these side .panelsalso is upwardly turned at its outer end, as shown at 4:, to provide flanges corresponding to the flanges 2.

In the economical manufacture of this table or stand, I prefer to hinge theside panels3to the main frame or panel A by means of the wood pieces 5 passed centrally through the top and bottom bar of the frame A, allowing the protruding ends of these pieces 5 to fit into mortises 6 in the ends of the top and bottom bars of the side panels, then passing a suitable pivot pin through the fork thus formed and through the projecting end of the wood pieces. The corners ofthe mortised ends of the side panels are rounded on one side, as. shown at 8, and the opposite corners of the opposite side panel are correspondingly rounded so that the two side panels can be folded in opposite directions alongside of and parallel with the main frame A; but when the side panels are opened out the square corners 9 which remain'form stops to give rigidity to the stand. The top surface of the top bars of both the main frame or panel A and side panels 3 are in the same plane, and the flanges 2-4 are all substantially the same radial distance from the center of the stand so as properly to support the table top and tray member 10. Likewise the top of the lower bars of the several panels are flush and are slightly dished or concaved to support an underneath removable tray member or shelf 11. Both of these tray members 10 and 11 are preferably of Chinese woven split bamboo construction, and are made with a surrounding rim or ring 12 on one side. The top 10 is just the right size to fit on top of the stand when the latter is opened outwardly, and to rest inside of the supporting flanges 2-- L, while the tray or shelf 11 is smaller and adapted to pass in between the legs of the stand. The upturned flanges 2t on the top bars of the several panels give the desired degree of concavity to these bars, properly to support the top tray.

table arrangement of this sort is eX- tremely handy for social affairs, because when the tables are needed for refreshments, or otherwise, the stands are quickly opened up and the top tray may be set, if desired,

in any room and then placed on the stand. The moment it is in place on the stand the structure presents every appearance of a complete and permanent table. The little underneath tray is both ornamental as well as useful.

If it is desired to use the table as a card table, theempty tray top 10 is simply inverted on the table with the rim flange 12 downward, leaving a flush smooth top suitable for the purpose and ornamental in appearance.

The upturned flanges 2et are important in holding the table top in place, besides lending ornament to the stand.

When the device is not to be used, the trays 10 and 11 are easily removed, the legs folded up and the entire device stored away in a comparatively small space.

In order to prevent the side panels accidentally folding up when the table is set up,

I employ a suitable latch for each side panel,

as represented at 13, which consists of an L-shaped springy piece of wood or metal having one arm secured to the under side of the top rail of the main panel, and the other arm of the L formed with a beveled ledge 14, this ledge 14 having a vertical face adapted to engage behind the top bar of a side panel when the latter is opened out at right angles. An end 15 of the latch projects sufficiently to enable the latch to be depressed to release the side panel when the stand is to be folded.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters-Pat ent, is:

An improved knock-down stand consisting of a main vertical panel member having upper and lower bars and supporting legs L between which said bars continuously extend; side panel members each consisting of a top and bottom bar and a supporting leg, the outer ends ofthe several bars being upturned; a removable and reversible table top inclosed between the upturned ends of the upper bars of both panel members, the upper surfaces of the top and bottom bars of the side panel members being arranged substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the top and bottom bars of the main panel members, said main panel member having lateral extensions projecting horizontally through its center, and the inner ends of the top and bottom bars of the side panels being pivotally connected to said extensions whereby the side panels may fold in opposite directions against the top and bottom bars of the main panel members; means for holding the panel members in position when they are opened out; and a lower tray loosely confined between the upturned ends of the lower bars of the panel members.

In testimonv whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT \V. lVI-IITNEY.

VVit-nesses CHARLES A. PENFIELD, CHARLES EDELMAN. 

